What is the Pada Yatra?

A traditional, weeks-long walking pilgrimage from Sri Lanka's east coast to Kataragama, historically undertaken by indigenous Vedda communities and Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims alike.

Best Things to Do on a Panama-Okanda Devalaya

Panama-Okanda Devalaya guide — a remote pilgrimage temple south of Arugam Bay marking the start of the traditional Pada Yatra walking pilgrimage.

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Start of the Pada Yatra pilgrimage

This remote temple marks the traditional starting point of a weeks-long walking pilgrimage to Kataragama, still practised by devotees today.

Remote coastal setting

One of the least-visited pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka, reached along a quiet stretch of coast south of Arugam Bay.

Plan your visit

Okanda is near Panama, a short drive south of Arugam Bay.

Temple and coastal visit

A quiet visit to the remote shrine, combined naturally with the wild, undeveloped Panama coastline nearby.

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Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) Ampara Anuradhapura Arugam Bay Badulla Balapitiya Bandarawela Batticaloa Belihuloya Bentota Beruwala Chilaw Colombo Dambulla Delft Island Deniyaya Dikwella Ella Embilipitiya Gal Oya National Park Galle Giritale Habarana Hambantota Haputale Hatton Hikkaduwa Horton Plains Jaffna Kalkudah Kalpitiya Kalutara Kandy Kataragama Kegalle Kilinochchi Koggala Kuchchaveli Kurunegala Mannar Matale Matara Medirigiriya Mihintale Mirissa Mount Lavinia Nainativu (Nagadeepa) Nalanda Gedige Negombo Nilaveli Nuwara Eliya Panama Passikudah Pinnawala Point Pedro Polonnaruwa Pottuvil Puttalam Ratnapura Ritigala Sigiriya Tangalle Tissamaharama Trincomalee Udawalawe Unawatuna Uppuveli Vavuniya Wadduwa Wasgamuwa Weligama Wellawaya Yala Yapahuwa